What is the right way to floss?

Flossing removes food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach — under the gumline and in-between your teeth. Food build-up can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Thus daily flossing is highly important.

To receive maximum benefits from flossing, use the following proper technique:

• Starting with about 18-24 inches of floss. To hold the floss correctly, wind most of the floss around both of your middle fingers. Leave only about 1 to 2 inches of floss for your teeth.
• Holding the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth
• Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line. Never snap or force the floss, as this may bruise your delicate gum tissue.
• Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth
• To remove the floss, use the same motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.